Palisades Tahoe finish arena: photo credit GEPA

Who is skiing, when and how to watch the Sunday, February 26th Palisades Tahoe slalom

Tomorrow will be an interesting race. The best slalom skiers in the world will be challenged by the Red Dog race arena in Palisades Tahoe. The slope starts out steep and flattens as it descends toward the finish. However, every turn can be seen from the finish.

Today ski racing fans saw Marco Schwarz deliver the Austrians their first GS victory of the season, can he do the same in slalom? Schwarz is certainly on fire and he clearly had what it took to dominate the second run of GS on the same snow and slope. With the softer conditions the first run should favor the earliest starters but we may be surprised. Notably, the slalom globe is undecided which tends to motivate the very best skiing. Including Sunday’s race, there are two slalom races left in the season. Expect to see the men at and beyond their limits as they jockey for an advantage heading into finals in Soldeu, Andora

Snow Conditions

After seeing what the courses workers provided today it must be noted that there is no telling what humans are capable of. Tonight they will use the cats to push more snow off the slope and then start the slipping program to make the surface as good as possible. Unfortunately, it is snowing hard again so they can not add water.

North Americans racing Palisades Tahoe slalom

Following the Chamonix race, four male North American slalom skiers have scored World Cup points this season – CAN, Erik Read, USA, Luke Winters, USA, Jett Seymour and USA, Benjamin Ritchie. However, depending on snow conditions all four of the North Americans who are entered are capable of finishing the day in the top 30. Currently, all the North Americans are outside the season’s top 25 and are not qualified for the Andoran finals. Tomorrow is their last chance. However, with a good day, Erik Read and Luke Winters are clearly within the range of possibilities. Jett Seymour would need to be on the podium and Benjamin Ritchie would have to be top two. However, don’t forget what Greece’s AJ Ginnis did in Chamonix.

Alpine Canada Alpin has entered one Slalom skier and the Stifel US Alpine Team has entered four.

North Americans entered to race the February 26th Palisades Tahoe slalom

• Bib 29, Erik Read, ACA, Banff Alpine Racers, University of Denver, Atomic, UVEX
• Bib 33, Luke Winters, USST, Sugar Bowl Ski Academy, Dynastar, Lange, LOOK, SWIX, ASP
• Bib 42, Benjamin Ritchie, USST, GMVS, Dynastar, Lange, LOOK, ASP
• Bib 44, Jett Seymour, USST, SSWSC, University of Denver, Fischer
• Bib 58, River Radamus, USST, Ski and Snowboard Club Vail, Taos Ski Valley, Rossignol, Look, SWIX, ASP

The first run will begin at 1:00 pm Eastern Time and at 10:00 am on the West Coast. The second run will start at 4:15 Eastern Time and at 1:15 pm on the West Coast.

In the USA, the Palisades Tahoe slalom can be viewed live and replayed on Outside. 

In Canada, CBC sports offers Alpine World Championship racing content.

The first run start list and program for the February 26th Palisades Tahoe slalom

Program for Sunday, February 26th Palisades Tahoe slalom